Newport-Mesa Unified School District recognizes the importance of community building and partnered with Love Costa Mesa Day and Love Newport Beach Day to show some love to eight schools.
On May 18, more than 100 volunteers spruced up campuses with special painting and gardening projects. The citywide events bring people together in engaging service projects that instill a sense of pride in our schools and our greater community.
Specific school-related projects included:
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Adams Elementary School: painting the benches around the front trees
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Costa Mesa Middle/High School: weeding and tending to the blacktop garden
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Eastbluff Elementary School: sanding and painting the lost-and-found cart and outdoor tables and chairs, plus redoing the garden beds by weeding, adding mulch, and sowing new plants
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Estancia High School: improving landscaping in front of the school, as well as the science and math buildings
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Rea Elementary School: giving the library a refresh by decorating bulletin boards and adding colorful contact paper
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Wilson Elementary School: replacing flags, improving the rose garden, and installing a small picket fence
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Woodland Elementary School: disassembling old raised garden beds and assembling new ones
At Paularino Elementary School, while some volunteers worked in the garden, Operation Clean Slate’s muralist Michael Howard oversaw the installation of a new painting celebrating diversity. “We had 12 community participants help create this new mural at the school entrance. It was a fantastic weekend,” said Howard, who has created other inspirational murals on NMUSD campuses.
“The volunteers made such a big difference on our campus. We appreciate all they did for us and are grateful for the beauty they added to our school,” said Eastbluff Principal Gabe Del Real.
Love Costa Mesa and Love Newport Beach Day comes just six months after Love Our Schools Day, which saw volunteers supporting projects on 18 NMUSD campuses.